11 tricks psychologists say can help you manage anxiety and stress at work

Dealing with stress at work is even more difficult for people diagnosed with anxiety.
How can people with anxiety manage work? Marla Deibler, a licensed clinical psychologist, says that above all, people with anxiety shouldn't limit themselves.
Other ways to manage anxiety include practicing mindfulness and pushing yourself to connect with others.
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Work-related stress is anything but uncommon.

Some 68% of Americans report experiencing moderate to high levels of stress on the job, according to a 2018 survey from tech company Wrike .

Navigating the workplace can be even more difficult for individuals dealing with anxiety. In fact, anxiety, along with often co-occurring depression, is a leading cause of disability , research shows.

So what can someone with anxiety do to help themselves be more comfortable at work?

1. The most important thing is to not change the way you live.

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Above all, people with anxiety should avoid limiting themselves, according to Marla Deibler , licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia.

"Those who struggle with anxiety should strive to fully participate in life, despite their bodily experience of anxiety anywhere at anytime," Deibler says. "Being willing to fully experience themselves and their private experiences (thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, etc.) and being accepting of that range of experiences, while continuing to act on with what is important to them, will lead them to in the direction of ceasing the struggle with anxiety."

Deibler provided Business Insider with some other crucial tips from symptom management strategies to changing your entire mindset for handling anxiety in the workplace.

2. Dont suppress your anxiety.

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Stifling your feelings is counterproductive.

"Everyone experiences anxiety," Deibler says. "It is a normal response to stress. Let it in when it shows up.Practice acceptance. Rather than trying to push it away (which tends to be futile, resulting in feeling more overwhelmed and less in control), make room for anxiety. It is showing up to try to bring your attention to something."

Deibler says that, by allowing space for some anxiety at work, you'll renderit less bothersome in the long run.

3. Be mindful.

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Check in with yourself once in a while.

"Examine anxiety with curiosity when it shows up, rather than rejecting it," Deibler says. "What do you notice when it shows up? What are you thinking and feeling?"

4. Invite anxiety along for the ride.

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Confront your anxieties head on. If you're nervous about public speaking, join a club to improve your skills. If you're afraid of talking to your coworkers, try to strike up a conversation.

"Pushyourself to enter situations that lead to anxiety in order to demonstrate toyourself that you can persevere and succeed despite anxiety," Deibler says."Exposingyourself to anxiety provoking situations, rather than avoiding them, helps tochange your relationship to anxiety and increase your confidence in thesesituations."

5. Practice self-care.

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Don't forget to take care of yourself.

"Attend to your own feelings and healthy lifestyle practices: good nutrition, sleep, and exercise are important to well-being, resilience, and healthy stress management," Deibler says.

6. Remind yourself that your mind is not always the best advisor.

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Sometimes, you can't trust yourself.

"Our mindslike to constantly tell stories, analyze, judge, give advice, and criticize," Deibler says."Sometimes these thoughts are supremely unhelpful to us. Observe whatyour mind does. Notice the thoughts. Note that they are not objectivetruths. You get to decide whether the thoughts are worthy of your attention."

7. Take a break.

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Deibler notes that changing your pace or scenery from time to time actually helps with managing anxiety.

8.Try progressive muscle relaxation.

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Engage in exercises that relax your body and set your mind at ease.

"Diaphragmatic breathing or other relaxation inducing practice (e.g., mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation , guided imagery exercises, tai chi, yoga) can reduce stress by helping to encourage the relaxation response."

9. Lay off the coffee.

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When it comes to managing anxiety, that latte in the morning is not your friend.

"Keep caffeine consumption to a minimum, as it can increase heart rateand physiological symptoms of anxiety," Deibler says.

10. Stay connected.

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You can get by with a little help from your friends.

"Social support is vital to managing stress," Deibler says. "Maintain connections to family and friends. Talking with others can do a world of good."

11. Seek professional help.

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Remember, youdon't have to go this alone.

"Sometimes anxiety can be difficult to manage without professional help," Deibler says. "A clinical psychologist who provides cognitive behavioral therapy can assist individuals in learning to better understand anxiety and change their relationship to their anxious thoughts and feelings. Concerned coworkers and employers might also choose to express their concern for a colleague and help to normalize the experience and encourage the individual to seek help."